Latest news with #RichardBranson
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
America's Newest Space IPO Was a Smashing Success
Voyager Technologies was supposed to IPO for a price as low as $26 a share -- but didn't. IPO shares began trading on their first day near $70 a share. They've gone nowhere but down since. Voyager IPO investors made out like bandits, but now investors must come to terms with this fact: Voyager stock won't be profitable anytime soon. 10 stocks we like better than Voyager Technologies › As the old saying goes, "Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than to be good." Take investors in the Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG) initial public offering (IPO), for example. Once upon a time, space stocks were a rarity. So much so that Sir Richard Branson was able to IPO Virgin Galactic as the only real way for investors to "dabble a little bit in a spaceship company, own a little bit of a spaceship company" -- and watch the stock price zoom into orbit. Virgin's success soon inspired a wave of imitators -- special-purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) that dutifully zoomed when first created, only to crater thereafter, frightening many investors away from the idea of investing in space stocks for years. That all changed, however, when President Donald Trump won his second term of office, promising to bring Elon Musk into government and invest heavily in space exploration. Space stocks zoomed once again, sending the share prices of companies like Redwire (NYSE: RDW), BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY), and Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) to the Moon earlier this year. It was at this propitious moment in time that Voyager Technologies decided it, too, would go public. Wooing investors with promises to build an international coalition of companies and create a new, privately owned space station to replace the International Space Station (ISS), Voyager stock debuted to widespread acclaim on June 11. Expected to price as low as $26 a share (and actually pricing at $31), Voyager opened its first day of trading at $69.75 -- more than twice the expected price. Even falling to close at $56 and change, it's hard to call Voyager's IPO anything but a smashing success. If you got in anywhere near the IPO price, you were lucky indeed! But what if you were not among those lucky few who got in at the IPO price? Well, in that case, I'd say you're probably feeling a bit less fortunate. The first 10 trading days since Voyager's IPO have not been kind to momentum investors. Seeking a rocket ride "to the moon," they instead have found themselves on an elevator slowly descending to Earth. By close of trading last Friday, for example, Voyager stock had given up much of its IPO price gains and fallen to close within pennies of $43 a share. Again, a nice profit if you were lucky enough to get in on the ground floor. But a significant loss if you didn't. Now, on the flip side, Voyager's steeply fallen stock price does give investors, who didn't get in at the IPO price, a second bite at the apple and a chance to buy into the stock at a bit more than its price immediately post-IPO (it was trading at $48.25 a share at Friday's open). But should you even want to? Let's run a few numbers and see if an answer arises. Let's begin with the basics: Voyager Technologies is a $2.5 billion small-cap aerospace and defense contractor. Best known for its role leading a consortium of companies building the Starlab space station, Voyager actually gets only about half its revenue ($75 million last year) from space activities. The other half ($78 million) comes from "defense and national security" products, including "artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled edge computing platforms and missile propulsion modules." Neither half of Voyager is currently profitable according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), however. Indeed, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, Voyager reported $74 million in net losses last year -- losing about $0.50 for every $1 in products it sold. The company's also burning cash at an even higher rate, with free cash flow running negative to the tune of more than $125 million last year (nearly 70% worse than the GAAP numbers make it seem). With no Wall Street analysts yet publishing earnings forecasts for Voyager, it's hard for an investor to know when Voyager might eventually turn profitable. But here's my two cents: With Voyager currently working full tilt to build the Starlab space station, management forecasting that the station will cost "approximately $2.8 billion to $3.3 billion" to build, and Voyager hoping to launch the station aboard a SpaceX Starship rocket (which hasn't yet been certified for flight) in 2029, the absolute earliest anyone should expect to see Voyager turn a profit is 2029. Most likely, it will take some time after the first launch before Starlab begins raking in enough revenue to help Voyager turn a profit. Most definitely, the company won't be able to get anywhere near profitability before Starlab is launched. Long story short, that means Voyager will spend the next several years deeply unprofitable as it spends hand over fist to build its multibillion-dollar space station. Whether the situation then improves after the station is built is anyone's guess. Before you buy stock in Voyager Technologies, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Voyager Technologies wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $704,676!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $950,198!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 175% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 23, 2025 Rich Smith has positions in Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Rocket Lab and S&P Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. America's Newest Space IPO Was a Smashing Success was originally published by The Motley Fool
Scotsman
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
11 of your favourite old fizzy drinks which were discontinued
People were all shook up when these fizzy drinks were discontinued Sign up to our Retro newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... These are some of the fizzy drinks you'd most love to see revived Some lasted for many years, while others quickly fizzled out One 70s favourite went particularly well with a scoop of ice cream A 'lush' 90s drink contained a surprising ingredient and was hailed as 'revolutionary' These are some of the most popular fizzy drinks from the past, which readers feel were unfairly discontinued | Various How many of these popular fizzy drinks from the past do you remember? They are among the favourite soft drinks which readers feel were discontinued before their time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some were available for many years in the UK, while others were more of a flash in the pan. But they all had their fans and between them delivered refreshment to generations of youngsters. They include a schoolyard favourite, which came in some crazy flavours; a famously frothy concoction which left a 'syrupy residue'; and one bottled drink which was famous for the trucks in which it was delivered. Panda Pops These cheap and colourful fizzy drinks are fondly remembered by generations of youngsters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They came in flavours including blue raspberryade, cherryade and, best of all, strawberry jelly & ice cream - all in lurid colours, which would scream at you from the shelf. Many of you remember using the change from your dinner money to buy a bottle of this budget pop from the school tuck shop back in the day. One person recalled: 'Getting one of these with a chippy tea was so special.' Panda Pops were axed in 2011 following pressure from health campaigners over the high sugar content. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Virgin Cola Virgin Cola was launched in the UK in 1994 as a rival to Pepsi and Coca-Cola | National World Virgin Cola was Richard Branson's ultimately doomed attempt to take on the giants of the carbonated drinks industry, Pesi and Coca-Cola. It was launched in 1994 with great fanfare, and was sold on Virgin Atlantic flights, Virgin Trains and at Virgin Cinemas, as well as in shops. The 500ml bottles were marketed as 'The Pammy', with their curves designed to mimc those of Baywatch star Pamela Anderson. Virgin Cola had a good run before being discontinued in the UK in 2009. It is still fondly remembered by many of those who gave it a go. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tab Cola Tab was Coca-Cola's first diet drink, launched in 1963, and was a popular alternative to the 'full fat' original during the 60s and 70s. Sales declined following the introduction of Diet Coke in 1982 but Tab was still made for many more years, before Coca-Cola eventually announced in 2020 that it was being discontinued. Variations over the years included root beer and ginger ale versions, and Tab Clear, a colourless variety created to rival Pepsi Crystal in the 90s. Quatro Quatro was a classic taste of the 80s. Launched in 1982, it was named after the four fruits which gave the green-coloured fizzy drink its flavour: orange, pineapple, grapefruit and passion fruit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The futuristic advert showed a vending machine malfunctioning before a can of Quatro bursts out of the top when given a sharp elbow. It featured the tagline 'it's a miracle, but we've made it'. One fan recalled: 'I drank so much of that when I was a kid, I loved it! Bring it back and bring it back now!' Corona Anyone of a certain vintage will remember waiting for the Corona truck to arrive each week, delivering new bottles of the popular soft drink and collecting the empties. The most popular flavours included cream soda, cherryade and dandelion & burdock. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lots of you have fond memories of adding a scoop of ice cream to a glass of cream soda Corona to create a truly indulgent drink/dessert. Many people also recall returning the used bottles to collect your 1p deposit, which was usually spent on sweets. Corona soft drinks began life in Wales in the 1920s and were sold for many years before being discontinued in the 90s. The 70s advert, showing cartoon bubbles being put through their paces on an assault course, featured the tagline 'every bubble's passed its fizzical'. It is remembered nearly as fondly as the drink itself. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cresta Cresta was one of the best-loved thirst quenchers of the 1970s and 80s. It came in cream soda, blackcurrant, orange, pineapple, lemon & lime and strawberry flavours. It was marketed by an animated polar bear in sunglasses - surely one of the coolest cartoon characters in living memory - who uttered the unforgettable catchphrase: 'It's frothy, man!' One person described the drink as 'gorgeous', while another recalled how it 'used to leave a syrupy residue at the back of your throat'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hubba Bubba soda Hubba Bubba bubble gum was big in the 80s, and the soda version, launched in 1988, was an attempt to capture the unique flavour in liquid form. It proved short-lived, and judging by the reviews from those who tried it that's not surprising. One person wrote: 'Worst soda ever, and I'll try anything.' Lilt Lilt is just a sun-kissed memory after Coca-Cola announced in 2023 that it was being scrapped and rebranded as Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit. But the drinks giant said when the rebrand was confirmed that the 'totally tropical taste' for which it was famous would remain unchanged, as would the ingredients. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fans didn't take the news well, with many calling the rebrand 'pointless' and saying they would continue to call the drink Lilt. Lilt was launched in 1975 and one of the most memorable ads from the 80s featured a 'Lilt man' - instread of a milkman - delivering the drink via a 'Lilt float' to parched recipients on a Caribbean beach. Tizer Ice Launched in the late 1990s, Tizer Ice contained menthol, which was meant to provide a refreshing cool sensation even when enjoyed at room temperature. It was branded as a 'revolutionary new soft drink' but sales were disappointing and it didn't last long. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tizer Ice was not without its fans, however. One person wrote: 'This drink was lush. Need to bring it back out.' Creamola Foam Creamola Foam drink crystals | TSPL This was a soft drink you had to mix yourself, but the extra effort was well worth it. It was made in Glasgow and sold around the UK from the 1950s until 1998, when Nestlé ceased production. The tins contained coloured crystals which dissolved in water to create a sweet, fizzy drink. It came in raspberry, orange, lemon and cola flavours. One person called it an 'unreal foamy sugary hit'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Creamola Foam was relaunched in 2019 with all the original flavours and many new varieties, including watermelon, pineapple and bubblegum. Coca-Cola Cinnamon Coca-Cola Cinnamon was only launched in 2019 as a limited edition flavour and has made a few reappearances, but it has not been added to the regular line-up despite its numerous admirers. Many people have described it as the best ever discontinued Coca-Cola flavour. One person wrote: 'I still dream of it. If I ever find a genie, it will be my first wish!' Another commented: 'This stuff was so good. It's like it enhanced everything I already loved about Coke.'
Entrepreneur
21 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
My Success Felt Hollow — Until I Made This Pivotal Leadership Shift
Over 50% of CEOs are struggling with mental health. Part of the reason is that they are chasing a version of success that doesn't resonate with their identity. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Four years ago, I hit a breaking point. On paper, I had everything — degrees from Harvard and Oxford, a Rhodes Scholarship, bestselling books and stood alongside icons like Oprah and Richard Branson. I had launched global movements and built international organizations. But inside, I was empty. A traumatic event in 2020 forced me to confront what I'd been ignoring: I was burned out, disillusioned and spiritually disconnected. I had followed the script for success — achievement, recognition, scale — but it had left me physically depleted and mentally adrift. And while the personal toll was staggering, the professional cost was even greater. I realized something many leaders quietly suspect: You can't lead well when you're running on empty. Related: How to Escape Entrepreneurial Burnout When You Can't Just Quit Fulfillment isn't a luxury — it's a leadership strategy Burnout among top leaders is more than a personal problem. A 2024 study found 55% of CEOs reported experiencing a mental health issue in the past year — a 24% increase from the year before. Leaders who feel unfulfilled make poorer decisions, struggle to build trust and drain culture. But when leaders feel connected to purpose, teams thrive. Engagement and retention go up. So does creativity, clarity and momentum. Fulfillment fuels everything. From breakdown to breakthrough What pulled me out wasn't another productivity hack — it was a deeper reset. I asked questions I'd been avoiding: Who am I without the work? What truly brings me joy? What do I want this all to mean? That journey led me through a full personal overhaul — biohacking, longevity medicine and deep self-reflection. But the biggest shift wasn't physical. It was internal. It was about redefining success — not as output, but as alignment. Here's what I now practice — and share with the leaders I mentor. Reclaim your morning Instead of starting the day in reaction mode (email, Slack, to-do lists), I protect the first 90 minutes for myself. Meditation, movement, reading — whatever connects me to clarity before the noise begins. Tip: Ask yourself each morning: What would make today feel meaningful, regardless of outcome? Start there. Audit your energy, not just your time Your calendar reveals what you truly value. If most of it drains you, no supplement or sprint will fix it. I started building "fulfillment time" into my schedule — mentoring, hiking, ideating. It made me a better, more present leader. Try this: Look at last week's calendar. Highlight everything that lit you up in green. Everything that drained you in red. Then, make one adjustment. Lead from purpose, not just pressure Metrics matter. But when pressure is your only motivator, burnout is inevitable. Purpose sustains you. Create a one-line purpose statement for yourself as a leader. Keep it visible. Let it guide how you show up for your team. Talk about fulfillment out loud For years, I kept conversations about meaning and mental health private. Now, I bring them into team check-ins and leadership meetings. When we normalize these discussions, we build more human, resilient cultures. Try asking your team: What part of your work has felt most meaningful lately? Related: How to Escape Entrepreneurial Burnout When You Can't Just Quit The wake-up call that too many leaders ignore If you're succeeding outwardly but feeling lost, it's not weakness — it's a signal. Your burnout isn't a badge of honor. And your fulfillment isn't a personal indulgence — it's a professional responsibility. Because when you're grounded, whole, and purpose-driven, the ripple effect is powerful: stronger teams, healthier cultures and companies built to last. You didn't come this far just to feel numb at the top. Do the work. Define what matters. And lead like it.
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Jardins Tramuntana wins Architecture Award for Son Bunyola Hotel by Sir Richard Branson - Middle East Business News and Information
Jardins Tramuntana has been celebrated by Luxury Lifestyle Awards with the prestigious Best Luxury Landscape Architecture for for Son Bunyola Hotel by Sir Richard Branson in Mallorca, Spain . This award highlights the studio's remarkable ability to honor tradition while embracing sustainable innovation in landscape architecture. At the heart of this project, Jardins Tramuntana skillfully connected the rich cultural legacy of the estate with the natural beauty of the Mediterranean. Their design incorporates native plants, century-old olive trees, traditional 'piedras de marès' stonework, and thoughtful water conservation techniques, creating an outdoor environment that is both visually stunning and ecologically responsible. Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce , commended their work, stating, 'Jardins Tramuntana's project at Son Bunyola Hotel sets a new benchmark for sustainable luxury. Their careful preservation of the natural and historical landscape serves as an inspiring model for the industry.' The studio's design philosophy is a genuine connection between people and nature. By incorporating seasonal changes, local biodiversity, and the rhythms of the Mediterranean environment, their work speaks to beauty and sustainability. Their use of smart irrigation systems, which save up to 70% water, exemplifies their progressive vision for luxury development that respects both people and the environment. To learn more, visit
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
How much does it cost to take a trip to outer space?
While billionaires like to launch their own space travel companies (Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic), you don't have to be one to join them. But it helps. The cost of a flight into space varies dramatically depending on what kind of mission you are looking for. 'As a ballpark, you're looking at well over $60 million (Dh220 million) for a private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) or even your own customised orbital stay aboard a private space station,' says Roman Chiporukha, co-founder of SpaceVIP, who works closely with space tourism operators around the world to design customised missions for clients. At SpaceX, prices typically start from around $55 million (Dh202 million), but clients can pay upwards of $65 million (Dh238 million) depending on mission specifics. RocketBreaks, the world's first dedicated space travel agency, works closely with partners such as Axiom Space and SpaceX, providing access to orbital missions aboard Crew Dragon spacecraft. These missions range from free-flying orbital flights to stays aboard the ISS, lasting between eight and 14 days. RocketBreaks handles everything from training and launch preparation to accommodation, private jet charters, and even welcome-home parties. Barry Shanks, director at RocketBreaks, says: 'We also offer access to suborbital missions with Blue Origin (New Shepard), offering a brief but unforgettable taste of space, including several minutes of weightlessness and views from the Kármán line.' These typically cost between $250,000 and $500,000 (Dh 918,122 and Dh1.8 million) per person. The Kármán line is regarded as the 'Space Standard' benchmark for truly being in space and is 100km above sea level. Above 120km is typically needed for a sustained low Earth orbit while anything below this (around 80km to 120km) is considered 'suborbital'. To put it in context, a commercial plane travels at heights of 10-13km above sea level. Blue Origin's New Shepard reusable rocket carried six passengers, including pop star Katy Perry and an all-female crew, to the edge of space in April 2025. Although Blue Origin doesn't advertise fixed ticket prices, deposits of $150,000 (Dh550,873) are required to begin booking. The full price can go up to $4 million (Dh14 million), depending on the flight package and additional luxury touches. The major space travel companies are not always upfront about costs. This is often because pricing is variable, and some companies prefer to vet clients before discussing pricing. 'The truth is, many of these missions aren't just about adventure. Whether it's understanding human biology in zero-G, developing tech for future planetary missions, or even learning how to grow food off-world, there's value here beyond the experience itself,' says Shanks. Edge of space Virgin Galactic is more transparent about its pricing, with seats on its suborbital flights costing around $600,000 (Dh2.2 million) for both civilians and researchers. Suborbital flights don't achieve the necessary speed to complete an orbit, resulting in relatively short trips that last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo (VSS Unity) takes passengers to the edge of space for a few minutes of weightlessness before returning via glider to Spaceport America, New Mexico. The company plans to reopen ticket sales at the start of 2026, but anticipates price increases above the previous $600,000 per seat. One of the more forward-thinking players in the industry, Radian Aerospace, is introducing the Radian One spaceplane. It offers a horizontal takeoff and landing for a low-G orbital mission that makes space travel less intense physically. For $10 million-$15million (Dh36 million-Dh55 million), passengers will orbit Earth five times during a seven-and-a-half-hour journey and be back in time for dinner, which is a big step towards making orbital experiences more elegant and attainable. Cheaper options Space travel experts predict flights will become cheaper as reusable rockets become more refined and launch frequency increases. 'Like any emerging industry, space tourism will eventually benefit from economies of scale. Space tourism will follow a curve similar to that of commercial aviation in its early days,' explains Chiporukha. 'At first, it's prohibitively expensive and exclusive, but as more companies enter the space and infrastructure improves, prices will come down.' Analysts predict suborbital flights, currently priced at $200,000–$600,000 (Dh734,498-Dh2.2 million), could drop to $50,000–$100,000 (Dh183,624-Dh367,249) by the early 2030s as flight frequency increases and economies of scale kick in. A spokesperson for Mighty Travels Premium says: 'Orbital missions, now costing $50 million (Dh183 million) per seat, may also see reductions as companies like Axiom Space and Sierra Space expand operations. While exact timelines are uncertain, significant price drops are expected within the next five–10 years, especially for suborbital trips, making them accessible to a broader affluent market.' Musk has stated that Starship could potentially fly for as little as $2 million (Dh7.3 million) per seat, but this is a long-term goal for a fully reusable system, not the current cost of Crew Dragon flights. Starship has a strong focus on reusability, which is critical for making these missions financially feasible. Regular space travel will likely start with suborbital joyrides before expanding to orbital and lunar trips, driven by demand and technological advancements. Philipp Schaer is the CEO at MiGFlug, which specialises in fighter jet flights and previously took passengers on high-altitude/stratosphere trips to an altitude of up to 25.5km. 'We are rather pessimistic with the tourist space flights such as Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin, unless they come as a side-kick from a commercial operation to launch satellites, do research, etc. If the main thing is bringing tourists into space, we don't think this will ever be profitable, given the huge development costs,' he says. MiGFlug has seen growing interest from clients in the UAE. 'We have had an eye on Dubai for a while now, and we hope to find the right partner there soon.' Travel on a budget There are cheaper options for those who want an out-of-this-world experience on a budget. Rather than rockets, Space Perspective uses a luxury hydrogen balloon to lift passengers in a pressurised gondola to about 32km altitude. The full six‑hour experience costs $125,000 (Dh459,061), including a two‑hour float at the edge of space. Over 1,800 seats have been reserved so far. In late 2025, Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk will team up with Space Perspective to take fine-dining into the upper atmosphere. Space Perspective is hoping to have a launch site in Dubai, which will give travellers the chance to see the Burj Khalifa from the edge of space. 'Being able to launch over Palm Island and go up and see the burst wave underneath and see all these recognisable landmarks, this is one of the most beautiful areas we could launch from,' said CEO Michael Savage. Chiporukha, who is a partner in this project, added: 'We now have an office at Dubai Media City and have been consulting with telcos who are expanding to satellites.' While there is no typical client, RocketBreaks' Shanks sheds some light on its space-travel-loving customers. 'We've worked with tech investors, entrepreneurs, adventure-seekers, and families celebrating major milestones. That said, our orbital enquiries tend to come from middle-aged business owners or UHNWIs who have already ticked off many once-in-a-lifetime experiences and are now looking up — literally.'
